Ravens coach defends Kaepernick's right to protest

'I’m grateful for the right to express my displeasure,' Harbaugh says

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is the latest person to weigh in on the controversy involving San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to sit down during the national anthem before NFL games.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is the latest person to weigh in on the controversy involving San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to sit down during the national anthem before NFL games.

Kaepernick said he decided to sit down during the anthem to show he stands with people who he said are being oppressed in the U.S.

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While many people say they disagree with the decision, Harbaugh said taking a stand sometimes comes with criticism.

“I think as a coach, it is something you always think about," Harbaugh told reporters on Monday. "We deal with that on a regular basis, because we are talking about adults -- grown men. We are talking about a free country. I’m grateful for the right to express my displeasure, and that is what Colin chose to do.”

Harbaugh said, as a coach, it is important to respect the opinions of those on the team, even if you disagree with them.

“I think you respect the opinions of everybody in the room and respect their right to express their opinion,” Harbaugh told reporters. “Voltaire so eloquently stated, ‘I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend until death your right to say it.’ That is the principle our country is founded on.

“I don’t think you can deny someone the right to speak out or mock or make fun or belittle anybody else’s opinion. You stand on your opinion, and when you state your opinion, it takes a little bit of courage, and there are going to be people that disagree with it. I tell our guys, ‘If you are going to say something publicly, think about it. Make sure you really believe that, because when you speak out there, it is out there, and it belongs to you now.’”

Harbaugh told reporters it is also important for players and others within the organization to remember the importance of respecting the team, the organization and the players while not forgetting the mission at hand during the season.

“None of us ever want to do anything that is going to detract or disrespect the efforts of all the other players on the football team,” Harbaugh told reporters. “I think that is the balance that all of us have to strike when we speak out about something like that -- or anything we do, whether it is choices we make off the field in our family life [or something else].”

The NFL issued a statement, writing, players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.